What is Bollard and How to Select It

Part 1 Bollard

Bollards cover a wide range of uses in a variety of environments. Every type of parking bollard offers efficient service, from those that address common parking lot pain points to those that protect assets and enhance safety. The Bollard Shop will offer a wide range of security solutions from parking bollards to removable bollards. At aotons.com we supply our customers with security equipment in the form of premium parking barriers that have been used successfully in businesses, shopping centers, and public spaces across Australia.

Parking problems can be solved with bollards in a variety of commercial, corporate, and residential settings. Since many businesses are concerned with security and safety, bollards are common in parking lots and curbsides. This article will guide you through what bollards are, how they are made, and how to use them. Wondering which bollard will fit your needs? First, you need to understand the types of bollards, their location, and their specific use cases.

1.1 What is A Bollard?

Bollards are used to create a protective boundary around buildings or to provide security. A bollard guides traffic and marks boundaries when it is installed. In general, they serve primarily as visual aids. They come in a variety of shapes, and styles, and serve as architectural elements to adorn or visually stand out. Vehicles and pedestrians are also protected by bollards. 

They are installed to prevent vehicle intrusion, thereby protecting people and property. As security posts, they can also incorporate decorative elements or be chosen to complement the landscaping. First and foremost, however, the main purpose of bollards in these situations is impact resistance.

1.2 A Brief History of Bollards

1) The origin of the bollard

The word “bollard” first appeared in the Oxford English Dictionary in 1884. It is derived from the words “bole” and “ard”, meaning “trunk”. The trunk is related to the word “hard”. Since 1948, with the advent of motor vehicles, the term “bollard” has been used more commonly to refer to traffic control equipment.

2) Beginning of sailing

For thousands of years, bolts have been used as mooring posts with old cannons. When old disused cannons were buried in the ground and spaced apart, they were given a new purpose as distance marking milestones. In other cases, the weights of old cannons were used as tethering points for farm animals.

In the 17th and 18th centuries, these cannons were mounted on the quaysides to assist ships in safely docking. Bollard manufacturing began in England in the 19th century.

3) From ship to vehicle

In the 18th century, traffic control was accomplished with bollards. Wooden posts were placed in towns and villages in England, such as those at Waltham Crossing in Hertfordshire, to help protect pedestrians and make traffic navigation easier. At the time it was meant to protect pedestrians from horse-drawn carriages, but that changed over time.

Later bollards evolved into a different type and were used to moor ships in docks. Once motor vehicles were invented, bollards were used as traffic contours for pedestrian traffic to guide vehicles and also to protect walls and sidewalks from motor vehicle damage.

As traffic types changed (from horse-drawn and motorized vehicles to motor vehicles), as traffic patterns changed and towns became cities, bollards began to be used more frequently for purposes such as dividing car-free zones.

4) Today’s Bollards

In the 1930s and 1940s, illuminated bollards were used in Ireland as bollards advanced into the 19th and 20th centuries. Illuminated bollards are also used in place of street lights and signs.

As vehicles became heavier, stronger, and more impactful than earlier horse-drawn carriages, the installation and construction of these posts advanced. There are flexible bollards, for instance, that can be hit without causing damage to the car or post. The purpose of security bollards is to protect buildings and pedestrian areas by slowing or stopping vehicles in contact with them.

1.3 What are the Different Types of Bollards?

Bollards are posts or poles used to provide support or mark boundaries. According to their location and purpose, bollards are referred to by many different terms.

For example:

• Mooring bollards are posts used to secure a boat in place.
• Traffic bollards are commonly used to direct traffic flow or to separate pedestrians from vehicular traffic and prevent collisions.
• Lighting bollards can be used to provide visibility in dark areas or as a decorative element in public spaces.
• Retractable bollards can be raised or lowered as needed, making them ideal for security applications.
• Security bollards are used to prevent vehicle attacks.
• Parking bollards are used to secure a parking space and prevent unauthorized vehicles from entering or entering a parking space or bay. They also come in many types and applications, which we discuss in more detail below.

1.4 What are Bollards Made of?

Bollards are made from a variety of materials, including steel, concrete, plastic, cast iron, polyurethane, and wood.

1) Steel bollards

Steel bollards are the most common type of bollard and are commonly used in commercial and industrial applications. These steel bollards can be cast or ductile iron, or stainless steel (particularly near the ocean where there is salt corrosion) and are available in a variety of sizes and shapes. Standard steel is often used in decorative premium bollard styles for stand-alone systems or as safety pipe covers. Steel bollards can be treated to minimize corrosion and rust. A steel bollard, for example, can be hot-dip galvanized or powder-coated to minimize corrosion.

2) Cast iron bollards

Cast iron is another material for making traditional-style bollards. It is a durable and popular traditional material for decoration and design enhancement, making it an excellent choice for a variety of uses.

3) Safety Yellow Powder Coated Bollards

Bollards can also be coated with safety yellow powder to help people identify them in low-light conditions. These help reduce accidents or product damage. Australian Standard AS-2890 also proposes safety standards for bollards, including paint color, as well as reflectivity and visibility at night. More on that later.

4) Concrete bollards

Concrete bollards are extremely strong and durable, making them ideal for use in high-traffic areas. Concrete can be combined with steel pipe bollards or embedded steel reinforcement to create impact-resistant security features. It can form on its own to create attractive designs tailored to specific architectural designs. Or more commonly, steel bollards are filled with concrete once installed on site. This gives them extra ballast and resistance to impacts, such as those from larger trucks.

5) Plastic bollards

Temporary freestanding polyethylene bollards are often used in retrofit and parking applications because they are low-cost and low-maintenance. These types of bollards cover the applications and use where the advantages of plastic come into play.

In contrast to polyurethane, plastic is rigid and will shatter on impact, but due to its malleability, it can be used to cover safety or impact-resistant pipes. It is economical to install plastic bollards in low-traffic areas.

6) Polyurethane bollards

Despite adverse weather conditions, polyurethane produces durable, UV-resistant, and flexible bollards. In many cases, polygonal bollards are chosen over traditional ones due to their functionality and cost.

7) Wooden Bollards

Wooden bollards are often used in residential applications, such as driveways or walkways, and where you are looking for more of an aesthetic finish that blends into the architectural design. However, in wooded or park areas, pressure-treated wood is sometimes chosen to complement the natural setting.

1.5 What is the Purpose of Bollards?

Bollards are often used to create a barrier or increase safety around a property, thereby protecting property assets to ensure minimal damage to those assets from passing vehicles.

Bollards are also often used as a traffic control measure to direct or restrict vehicles or to encourage or discourage the use of parking spaces. They are also often used in “shared areas” to differentiate between different types of traffic – eg. Vehicles and bicycles, and pedestrian traffic.

1) Traffic control

Traffic bollards allow pedestrian traffic while maintaining clear sightlines and directing traffic to specific areas. They either restrict access to restricted areas such as bike lanes, public squares, and traffic islands, or they direct traffic by demarcating roads.

2) Parking protection

Bollards are used to monitor parking space allocation. For example, securing individual parking spaces for specific drivers. This is a very common problem in residential apartment buildings and mixed-use commercial and residential buildings. In these cases, parking bollards address pressure from residents to ensure their parking spaces are reserved for them.

They increase the certainty of parking space availability and increase driver satisfaction. They can be used for parking space protection for individual car owners, for shared parking spaces between fleet drivers, reserved for disabled drivers, or to protect EV charging bays

3) Bicycle lane separation

Separated bike lanes protect cyclists and reduce stress for drivers. In contrast, fragile separators often break on impact, leaving cyclists vulnerable. It can be difficult for emergency vehicles to reach the curb when there are hard boundaries.

4) Protect fragile building assets

Security bollards are often placed in front of vulnerable assets in buildings to reduce the risk of accidents. Brightly colored security bollards will be installed as barrier posts around vulnerable gas or water meters. They are also often used to protect fragile or historic architectural features close to traffic.

Decorative bollards are often used in areas reserved for pedestrians or parks to protect wildlife or plants from harm. The message from the bollards is clear: be aware of restricted access areas where people walk, drive, or cross the road. It is also used to prevent intruders from entering loading docks, garages, bike lanes, streetscapes, cemeteries, government buildings, stadiums, and golf courses.

Part 2: Parking Posts

2.1 What are the Different Names for Parking Piles?

There are many names for parking bollards. However, they all have the same purpose and intent – to prevent unauthorized drivers from using parking spaces.

Parking-bollards are commonly referred to by the following terms:

• parking post
• parking lock
• parking barrier
• parking space protector
• parking space protector
• parking guard
• folding parking post
• parking lock
• parking lot guardrail
• parking protector
• parking safety bollard
• parking blocker

These terms apply to any device that prevents people from parking illegally in a parking space.

2.2 Types of Parking Piles

1) Parking pile

Bollards designed for car parks can range from those placed in car parks to reduce illegal parking to bollards used next to and within car parks to protect pedestrians from moving vehicles. The pegs themselves are usually collapsible when placed in a parking space to allow vehicles to access them when permitted. Second, parking bollards for security and pedestrian safety are usually fixed and highly visible. They might be illuminated, stacked in reinforced rows, or made of tough steel, but they’re meant to be stable so vehicles can’t access sidewalks.

2) Fixed bollards

These are created to immobilize and stay in place typically for use on roads or to block traffic from entering specific areas. They are usually made of resilient materials such as steel or other metals. They are designed to withstand severe damage and can separate a pedestrian from a moving vehicle, or a moving vehicle from a hazard such as a sharp drop off the edge of the road. Fixed bollards are often designed with bright colors for high visibility and driver compliance.

3) Removable Bollards

Some areas may only require bollards for a short period, such as to meet construction site safety requirements. Or another use is crowd and traffic control during large events. Traffic bollards guide traffic and prevent accidents. They also provide clear directions for drivers and pedestrians, letting visitors know what is and is not allowed. Removable bollards are a convenient temporary solution but are not always as strong as fixed or security bollards.

4) Safety bollards

These ground bollards are designed for roadside and parking lot safety. Safety bollards are made of reinforced material and can take the form of parking-bollards or stationary bollards. They emphasize traffic control and are designed to reduce speed in the same way as speed bumps. They are barriers that encourage drivers to drive carefully and pedestrians to pay attention to where they are going. These bollards are often found in schools, roadsides, or busy parking lots.

5) Automatic bollards

For added convenience, automatic bollards provide a seamless way to deter illegal parkers. They are also used by individuals who wish to secure or reserve parking spaces within workplaces or office buildings. Alternatively, they are also purchased by businesses and venues that wish to reserve parking spaces for themselves, their patrons, and staff. Using a remote control or app, drivers can lower automatic bollards without getting out of the car.

6) Manual bollard

Manual bollards have the same function as automatic bollards, the main difference is manual folding. Whether it’s for yourself, employees, or customers, these bollards are useful. While they’re not as convenient as automatic bollards, you’ll find bollard stores offer them for more affordable prices.

2.3 Where are Bollards Usually Found?

1) Shopping center

One of the main places you’ll find parking posts is in the parking lot of a shopping mall. With such high volumes of vehicle and pedestrian traffic, malls regularly use high-quality bollards for efficient service. They can use safety bollards to keep pedestrians safe and off the road, they can use automatic and manual bollards for their workers, or they can use fixed bollards and safety bollards to protect their assets. Parking bollards are necessary when more vehicles are entering and exiting a busy location.

2) Workplace

Offices host many people day in and day out, and because parking spaces are too scarce to accommodate workers commuting to work, bollards are often installed. Automatic and manual bollards are most common in these areas, and crews will purchase their own to reserve spots in busy locations. Safety bollards are also common, protecting assets from accidental or deliberate collisions.

3) Entertainment place

Another high-traffic location is one with events or large crowds. Sports bars, gyms, and clubs are just a few of the venues that rely on ground bollards to manage the comings and goings of their guests. A bollard may be placed in an office or shopping center to restrict access to certain bays so only staff and customers are allowed in. In most cases, however, bollards are used to control crowds and protect assets at these venues. Fixed bollards, safety bollards, parking bollards, and safety bollards, are all implemented in these venues.

4) Schools and child care centers

As parents and carers send young children to schools and childcare centers, there must be parking space where children can safely get in and out of the car. Childcare centers and schools that offer dedicated parking spaces for customers often find that other people block those spaces. This prevents parents who need to drop their child off from being able to stop safely to take the child out. This is why parking-bollards are often used to very effectively monitor the occupancy of childcare center parking spaces to ensure they are available for safe pick-up and drop-off of children.

5) Electric vehicle charging station

As we begin to replace gasoline or internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, more and more electric vehicle charging stations are being installed. Therefore, it is important to ensure that people who own electric vehicles (EVs) and charge them use EV charging stations. There’s nothing worse than arriving at an EV charging station and seeing someone with a gas car hogging the parking space, so you can’t charge your car. This is called ICEing, and it’s becoming a more common problem in our cities. More and more homeowners are now using parking bollards to protect electric vehicle charging stations.

6) On the road

Bollards are an important aspect of many highways, freeways, and residential areas. For roads, fixed bollards and safety bollards are the most common. Fixed or safety bollards can be found on busy roads to ensure that vehicles do not cross lanes where they are not supposed to change lanes. They may also be located next to roads to create a dividing line between moving vehicles and cliffs or dams. Security bollards are commonly found in residential areas, especially near and around school areas. They work to keep pedestrians from straying into the road when cars have low visibility or areas too dangerous to cross.

Part 3: The Proven Parking Bollard

When shopping for a parking doll, it is important to find a tried and tested product that is of high quality. The main purpose of a parking bollard is to secure and secure your parking spot when you need it. Other bollards are used for safety, especially to delineate the area between pedestrians and vehicles. This is both inside the building in the basement of the car park and on the sidewalk.

3.1 What is the Use of Parking Bollards?

The use of parking-bollards for traffic safety has been around since the 18th century, preventing an unknown number of accidents. They are available in both buried and surface mount models.

Parking bollards can address various issues, including abusive visitor parking, mixed-use retail and commercial designated parking lots, office buildings with flexible working and parking arrangements, disabled parking spaces, and EV charging bay usage.

Parking-bollards can be surface-mounted, making them easier to install in urban areas. Or you can opt for underground bollards which are more suitable for heavy-duty and exterior use. Since every parking situation is slightly different, at aotons.com we listen to your needs and, based on that, provide a custom solution for your specific situation.

3.2 So Which Parking Bollard Should I Choose between Manual Parking Pole vs Remote Control vs Smartphone Parking Pole?

1) Manual parking pile

Manual parking posts are the simplest and easiest type of parking posts to use. They control the vehicle into a position with a simple manually operated locking device.

2) How Do Manual Parking Posts Work?

To prevent unauthorized access to your parking space, manual parking-bollards are hinged physical barriers that lock upright. Or they can be unlocked and folded flat on the ground for a vehicle to park on.

The locking mechanism for manual folding bollards can be either a key lock or a padlock. With either, the key or padlock can use the same key if you have multiple parking use cases. For visitor parking, for example, you might want the same key for all manual parking bollards, so that one key can open any of them. This makes it easier for building or facility managers to assign parking spaces, as a single key can open any parking post.

3) How to install manual parking bollards?

Our range of manual parking bollards at aotons.com is very easy to install. They are all surface mounted so there is minimal impact on the concrete slab. We offer manual parking bollards with either 4 or 6 anchor points, depending on the model. Installation of manual parking-bollards is simple and easy and can be done by a handyman with simple tools.

To buy manual parking bollards, you can visit aotons.com where you can choose from a range of folding manual parking bollards. Here you’ll see the different features of each type of manual parking bollard to choose the one that best suits your needs. Please feel free to contact us if you need assistance. At aotons.com we offer manual parking bollards that make parking your car a breeze.

4) What are the characteristics of manual parking piles?

Features of our manual parking bollards include:

• They are high quality, strong, durable, and reliable to make your life easier!
• Our manual parking-bollards are made of galvanized steel, then painted high-visibility yellow powder with red reflective logos for added nighttime visibility.
• Whether key-operated or padlock-operated, our manual bollards are easy to use.
• Surface-mounted and BCA-compliant, they are easy to install. This means they have little impact on the concrete slab, which is especially important in stratified buildings.
• Manual parking bollards can be used in a variety of applications – from residential apartments to office buildings, council car parks, and even shopping centers to manage and monitor the use of parking spaces.
• Waterproof and dustproof manual parking-bollards are available from us.

5) Remote control parking poles are super convenient

The most convenient way to ensure your parking space is available when you need it is through automatic bollards. There are two general types of automatic parking bollards. First up are the remote-controlled parking bollards that we will be discussing here. Another type of automated dock is the smartphone dock, which we discuss in the next section.

6) How do remote-control parking poles work?

The automatic parking bollards operated with remote control are very easy to use. They protect your personal parking spaces from unauthorized use, you just need to use the remote control to lower or raise them. This means you never have to jump out of your car to lower them, like manual parking bollards.

7) How to install remote control parking bollards?

They are also very easy to install and, like manual parking bollards, are surface mounted. Easy installation shortens any installation work required by our customers, ensuring a fast, hassle-free experience for you.

Remote control parking bollards designed to minimize the impact on large apartment and office building concrete slabs. As such, they comply with the Building Code of Australia (BCA Compliant), making approval for your strata building easy. The remote-controlled parking bollards come with three concrete screws that are 50mm deep and 8-10mm in diameter.

8) How do remote-control parking poles get powered?

Remote control docks are usually battery-powered, so you don’t need to hardwire them for any power. This makes installation and use easier. And means you can easily get approval from the owner’s corporation for strata apartment buildings or commercial office buildings.

At my location, our remote-controlled parking-bollards are all powered by rechargeable batteries. This gives them a longer life expectancy and means you don’t have to charge them as often. Typically, our remote control parking post batteries last about 9-12 months before you need to recharge them. To charge them, you can plug them into the charger that came with the bollard and let them charge overnight at any power outlet. The next morning, you just take the battery out, put it back in the remote dock, and it’s good for another 9 months or so.

The rechargeable battery has a lifespan of 2-3 years. So when this happens, all you need to do is replace it with a new battery. Some remote control docks available use 4 or 6 regular dry batteries instead of rechargeable batteries. In our experience we’ve found that these batteries don’t last very long at all, sometimes you need to replace them in as little as 10 weeks. It’s not very convenient it’s a key reason why we invest more in our products to offer rechargeable batteries for your convenience.

9) Where are remote control parking bollards used?

Remote-controlled parking-bollards are designed to provide an effective solution for parking lots and a range of uses. From residential apartment buildings to commercial office buildings, medical centers, childcare centers, shopping centers, commercial parking lots, and more. Aotons.com brings you the best buying guide for our remote control parking bollards.

10) Features and Benefits of Remote Control Parking Posts

The features and advantages of remote control parking-bollards are:

• They’re super easy to use and operate with a remote control so you don’t have to get out of the car.
• Each one comes with two remotes, and you can add as many additional remotes as you need.
• They are easy to install and come with fixings for concrete installation.
• Made of heavy-duty steel and cast iron, they are designed to withstand being driven
• A rechargeable 6V battery and charging unit are included.
•  They are dustproof, waterproof, and rigorously tested in all conditions.
• They offer a 12-month warranty

11) Why would you choose remote control parking piles instead of manual parking piles?

Remote control parking dollies are a great solution for those who don’t want to jump out of their car but prefer to use a remote instead of a smartphone to operate their dollies. Additional remotes can often also be added to the remote control parking post as an extra accessory or feature if desired.

It is helpful if a driver loses the remote, so a new blank remote can be organized and programmed. In addition to being more expensive than manual parking bollards, remote-controlled bollards eliminate the need to get out of your car.

12) Smartphone parking posts are super convenient

The smartphone parking post offers the convenience of lowering and raising the parking post with a smartphone instead of a remote control. Or having to jump out of the car to manually unlock and put down the manual folding parking lock.

13) Smartphone parking post lets you share access with other drivers

s The beauty of smartphone parking posts is that they also allow you to share access with multiple users, just from your smartphone. And for remote control parking posts, you need to share your remote or give them an extra remote.

Your parking space is protected from unauthorized use with smartphone parking bollards. They grant the owner of a parking space exclusive access without having to jump out of the car. The smartphone-operated versions of these automatic bollards are at the top when it comes to price.

14) Features of smartphone parking bollards

If you are looking to buy smartphone parking bollards, then let us at aotons.com guide you to some of the reasons why you should choose them. Smartphone Parking Posts:

• It is a safe, contactless,s and contactless parking solution that gives you exclusive parking lanes. This has been a big problem during the recent pandemic, so the fewer things you need to touch, the safer you are from a health standpoint.
• Just tap the app within 20 meters of a parking space to turn your smartphone dock on and off.
• are surface mounted so they cause minimal impact on the concrete slab in the building. As with remote parking bollards, our installations are BCA compliant, which makes it easier for you to get approval from your apartment building’s owner’s board.
• The perfect solution for offices with flexible workdays and hours. In this way, different people can enter that parking space separately if they arrive on different days. They don’t need to get remotes or keys from your office manager.
• Equipped with automatic sensors, which means they will automatically raise and close 2 minutes after the car leaves. This means that if visitors or staff forget to “lock” the bollards when leaving, automatic sensors will do it for them. The parking spot is already secured for the next driver, which gives you added peace of mind and safety. Smartphones are carried by most people at all times. So using a smartphone parking bollard means you don’t need keys. An app on your smartphone lets you control everything.

15) How do smartphone parking poles get powered?

Obviously, with a motor, the smartphone parking post needs to be powered. There is no hard wiring required, our smartphone parking post uses a rechargeable lithium battery. We provide a battery charger with the device. You typically get about 9 months of battery life before you need to recharge the battery. Your usage depends on how often you use it.

But remember, rechargeable batteries that are left unused for a long time will drain faster. To charge the battery, simply remove it from the bollard, place it on the charger, and let it fully charge overnight. Reinsert it into the bollard the next day and it will last about another 9 months.

The battery life is probably about 2-3 years per battery before you need a new one. To make things easier, our app has a battery health indicator light. This changes from green to orange to red to remind you when it’s time to charge.

Some smartphone docks run on regular supermarket batteries. Watch out for these batteries, as we’ve had complaints that they don’t last more than a few weeks. That’s why we’ve spared no expense in using the right rechargeable battery. Make your parking life easier.

16) In comparison to manual parking bollards, how do smartphone parking bollards perform?

Smartphone parking stakes are perfect for anyone who wants to easily secure and share a parking space. They’re also best for drivers who use their smartphones for everything —they don’t want to worry about the remote or getting out of the car.

Smartphone parking posts are more expensive than manual parking posts. They start at about the same price as remote-controlled bollards, but they do get more expensive than they are when you add the automatic sensor feature. It also depends on how tall you want your smartphone bollard to be, as you can buy bollards in two sizes. Taller ones with automatic sensors are more expensive.

3.3. Are the Parking Bollards Suitable for Indoor and Outdoor Use?

Most parking posts for sale are generally suitable for indoor or outdoor use. This will depend on what material they are made of to determine if they are suitable for outdoor activities. At my location, we make sure all of our bollards are suitable for all climates. They have been tested both indoors and outdoors. Our parking-bollards are usually made of galvanized steel with a powder coat finish on top. That’s how we made sure they’re also suitable for outdoor use.

For areas near the ocean, customers often prefer stainless steel grade bollards, which are better able to withstand saline environments. These are, of course, more expensive. They are also more architecturally attractive than powder-coated yellows.

At aotons.com, our automatic parking-bollards are water and dust resistant. They meet the international waterproof standard IP67, so they can withstand rain and dust outdoors. At aotons.com we take great care to ensure our bollards comply with the Australian Parking Industry Standard AS2890.

3.4. Why Buy A Manual Dock Instead of An Automatic or Smartphone Dock?

Which parking bollard you choose to purchase is a balance of personal preference, convenience, application, and cost. Remote or smartphone bollards offer the convenience of operating them without having to get out of your vehicle. Especially when it rains. Manual bollards may be difficult to operate for disabled or elderly drivers due to the added physical exertion.

Smartphone parking poles allow drivers to share access with other users without a remote. Because it’s all done via an app, you don’t even need to be near a smartphone parking post. So using a smartphone parking bollard is very convenient in these situations where there are multiple users.

However, remote control parking bollards are more expensive than manual parking bollards. As you sell smartphone parking poles, their prices increase as well. Despite being more cost-effective, manual parking bollards are less convenient. Due to the lack of a motor, manual docks are cheaper than automatic docks. Although you have to get out of the car to operate them.

All manual, remote, and smartphone parking bollards for sale are suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. Therefore, which parking dolls to buy depends more on the type of application for which you need them.

At aotons.com we are very focused on making sure our clients get the best possible advice. We have 15 years experience in the industry and our reputation is very important to us. Therefore, we spend a lot of time guiding you in choosing the best parking solution for your specific situation. We listen to your parking pain points and propose solutions tailored to your needs. This is how we ensure our products deliver the results you need. Take the stress out of parking.

3.5 When to Use Fixed Bollards?

Fixed bollards are a permanent bollard solution – they are straight and tall and cannot be folded down to provide parking access. They are available in surface mount and buried versions.

The concrete slab or surface is minimally damaged when surface-mounted fixed bollards are installed. Underground bollards require core drilling at the surface, which means some excavation, and are therefore not often used indoors in urban buildings.

Fixed parking bollards are most commonly used to protect building assets, restrict access around loading docks, prevent ramming attacks, or provide a clear separation between pedestrian and vehicular traffic for safety reasons.

3.6 How Many People Use Parking Bollards?

Our parking bollards at aotons.com are of very high quality and standard. We’ve been doing this for 14 years. As a result, our customer reviews are very positive about our products as well as our customer service and ongoing support. Our parking bollards have been tried and tested for over a decade – hence our reputation for efficiency and exceptional quality.

Our online bollard store is your one-stop shop for parking bollards. We are passionate about finding smart, simple, and safe parking solutions for our customers. We are proudly an Australian-owned business and have been committed to giving our customers the best possible parking experience for over a decade.

3.7 Do I Need to Buy Additional Parking Post Accessories?

Most parking bollards should come with everything you need. This includes keys, fixtures, rechargeable batteries, remote controls, and battery chargers. So generally do not need to buy any additional accessories. At aotons.com, all of our products come with all these items included in the total cost price. So you don’t need to buy any extra parking post accessories.

However, if you want any extra remotes or keys, this can be easily organized. If your family or friends need extra remotes, we can order them. The same goes for extra keys for your manual parking bollards – just ask us. When your rechargeable battery runs out, we always have a spare battery on hand. Lastly, if you lose any part of your parking bollard, we usually have spare parts for the most common things.

3.8 Where Can I Buy Parking Bollards?

You can buy parking dollies from local suppliers, or online stores that ship nationwide, such as our site at aotons.com. We specialize in all types of parking-bollards including manual folding parking bollards, remote control, smartphone bollards, and fixed bollards. Our bollard shop page provides detailed information about parking bollards.

We provide various parking solutions at high-quality and cost-effective prices. Our bollards are tested over and over again and our customer service is outstanding. The best parking-bollards are those that are as tried and tested as our products. That’s because they are more durable and can take more abuse.

Options include manual, smartphone, remote control, and collapsible parking poles. Collapsible parking posts for sale are a great option because they are easy to install and fold out of the way. They can be surface mounted to meet architectural requirements.

Collapsible bollards offer a wide range of security options. They are commonly found at emergency vehicle access, trail entrances, and maintenance entrances. In addition to loading docks, garbage truck reservations, and EV charging areas, they are also used to delineate pedestrian paths.

3.9 What are the Benefits of Parking Bollards?

Today, one of the most difficult tasks is controlling fast-moving traffic. This is where security bollards come into play. When you need strong physical barriers to control pedestrians, cars, and bicycles on roads and inside buildings. Security and parking-bollards are designed to keep people and property safe and protect them.

The purpose of parking-bollards is to control restricted areas and prevent accidents. Bollards can also be used to restrict access to certain areas in times of danger. For example, where construction or excavation works are going on near a construction site, in this case, safety bollards protect pedestrians and workers from a safety perspective

Parking-bollards are strong, wear-resistant structures designed specifically for parking. They are used to protect parking spaces from being used or vandalized. They should be waterproof, dustproof, and strong enough to withstand vehicles driving over them. Parking bollards provide vehicles with additional parking certainty and help drivers ensure they have assured parking space availability, especially in busy and difficult parking situations.

1) Safety of parking posts and parking spaces

Parking-bollards provide an important driver experience utility to any parking lot or parking lot. They provide drivers with safety and certainty that they can use designated parking spaces. Safety and security bollards are also used in car park basements to protect pedestrians, guide drivers, and reduce the chance of car damage.

Pedestrians, shoppers, and motorists will feel safe when they are separated by car park bollards. They come in different sizes, colors, and materials. Safety bollards are also used to protect structures from being hit by drivers. You can use bollards in parking lots to create a safer environment for pedestrians and drivers while ensuring their vehicles remain safe.

2) Parking-bollards improve safety

Safety and security bollards increase safety in public places by preventing vehicular attacks and restricting cars from entering designated pedestrian areas. They also help regulate the flow of people in crowded spaces, such as museums or theaters and can be used to enhance the appearance of buildings.

3) Substantial control over traffic flow

Parking and safety bollards improve traffic flow by preventing drivers from driving over the curb and providing a physical barrier to protect pedestrians from injury. Pedestrians and vehicles are protected by bollards, which help maintain public areas as safe and regulated as possible.

Bollards are the best way to control traffic on street curbs, off-street parking spaces, and even in entry and exit areas. In places with heavy traffic, parking restrictions can be difficult to manage. But with bollards, you can create a more controlled and safe environment for weaving between vehicles and pedestrians.

4) Relieve depression, stress, and anger

Finding someone else parked in your parking spot is one of the most annoying things that can happen to you. Illegal parking always creates huge friction, stress, and uneasiness among people. If that’s in your residential building, it can make living there a nightmare if you’re constantly arguing with neighbors or the building manager.

5) Reduce stress levels

Car park bollards are effective in reducing stress levels as they are used to control access and protect parking spaces from unauthorized drivers. By controlling automated bollards, businesses can reduce occupant stress levels and keep their premises safe.

6) Improve parking efficiency

By providing more certainty about parking space availability, parking bollards increase the efficiency of parking lots. This means that if you know you are booking a parking spot, the specific spot you booked is reserved for you, and no one else can use it while you are booking. You can go straight to that parking spot and know it’s reserved for you. Rather than poking around looking for any randomly available parking spot.

This is very important in places like hotels, restaurants, shopping malls, airports, and your office or residential strata buildings. It also means that by actually booking, the asset owner can calculate how often the bay is turned over and increase efficiency. Also, instead of looking around for a parking space, drivers know exactly where their parking space is, secured by parking posts.

That means less carbon emissions because they don’t stand still. Another great thing about parking-bollards is that when they are surface mounted, they are very easy to install and comply with Australian building codes. They are also very durable so they last a long time. As such, they can provide a great return on investment when it comes to increasing the value of your parking assets.

7) Increased Convenience

Parking poles increase the convenience of drivers by physically securing their personal parking spaces, thereby enhancing their user experience and convenience. Additionally, bollards can be installed to accommodate the growing electric vehicle market and improve accessibility to charging stations. Or another situation whipped parking spaces need to be reserved for people with real disabilities, not abused by people who just want to park conveniently in empty spaces.

Temporarily securing a parking space with parking bollards is beneficial for several reasons. By placing bollards on either side of the space, it can add a layer of protection against vehicles entering or leaving the area. This helps prevent accidents, provides extra, and allows traffic to flow more smoothly when cars are forced to stop in designated areas.

8) Ease of use

Using parking lot bollards is very easy, which is one of their many advantages. So whether you choose a manual parking post operated with a key or a padlock, it’s a simple open and close parking bollard you don’t even want to get out of your car, automatic bollards are perfect. You can use the remote control to operate the remote control parking bollard. Or, if you prefer to use your smartphone, there are smartphone-operated parking bollards.

9) Save time and money

Once a parking bollard is installed, it saves you the time of looking around for available parking spaces. This is because you know your parking space is physically secured with parking bollards. It also saves you money because traveling in circles requires fuel, and fuel costs are sky-high. So every minute of idling will cost you more money unnecessarily. Furthermore, it is harmful to the environment.

10) Make Money

You can make money by installing automated parking bollards in your parking space, which you then rent out. Knowing that there are parking lot bollards installed means that no one else can use the location, so you are guaranteed to make money from other drivers who need to park.

This is a big advantage for parking apps, they can’t guarantee you a parking spot, especially since they can’t physically secure it. We all know that people just don’t respect your parking spot – if it’s available, they’re likely to take it! Especially if your parking spot is in a subway location or a busy residential area, or near a commuter train station.

3.10 What is the Use of Bollards?

Bollards are physical barriers designed to protect pedestrians, storefronts, and parking lots from damage caused by vehicles. Using bollards means you reduce the likelihood of accidents because you separate pedestrians from areas where vehicles are running nearby.

Temporary bollards also alert drivers to various hazards and indicate road closures or semi-closures. Therefore, there are many benefits to using bollards, including greater safety for drivers and pedestrians.

3.11 Benefits of different types of car park bollards

Parking lot bollards are used for a variety of purposes, including enhancing safety and security. Self-retracting bollards are often used in high-security applications where aesthetics are important.

Removable bollards are ideal for temporary applications such as providing temporary access to restricted areas or cordoned-off areas. When greater flexibility is needed to move or block an area quickly and easily, manual retractable and mobile/foldable bollards are available.

3.12 Benefits of Parking Piles in apartment buildings

Parking lot bollards can benefit residential apartment buildings by helping to manage access to public property car parks (such as visitor, EV, or disabled parking spaces) and ensuring that the wrong driver does not park in a resident’s space.

This means residents, buildings facility or property management don’t have to waste too much time trying to figure out who is parking illegally, and dealing with resident and visitor complaints! Did you know that building managers waste approximately 15% of their time addressing the stress of illegal parking in residential strata buildings?

3.13 Advantages of parking-bollards and boom doors

Boom doors are often used in large car park entrances and exits to monitor incoming and outgoing vehicles, it is important to calculate how much to charge the driver. So we all drive through boom gates (sometimes called boom barriers). In short, they are horizontal poles or poles attached to motorized machinery that can be raised or lowered to let cars in or hold them until it’s time for them to leave.

It rises to let cars in, then descends to wait for them to check their exit times and pay their tickets on the way out. Boom Gates need to be hardwired to have enough strength to lift the arms up and then down. As such, installing and maintaining it is a fairly extensive and invasive project. They are also often connected to back-end management platforms for asset owners to view the number of vehicles entering and leaving each day.

When cars ignore boom doors and drive straight through, they are often damaged or broken! According to the following, parking-bollards are a more desirable option for many Australian commercial buildings than boom doors:

1) Easy to use

The parking poles are very easy to use and control the vehicle on a parking space-by-space basis. Whereas boom doors can only block a large area. Boom gates cannot alone secure a parking space like a parking post can. As a result, the parking poles can control and regulate individual parking spaces more efficiently. There is also a boom gate, which means all the cars are queuing up to get into the car park, so there is often a traffic jam. Therefore, having individual parking posts for each parking space is a smoother way to manage traffic, providing convenience and control without additional work or resources.

2) Improve Convenience and Safety

There are several advantages and conveniences to parking-bollards over boom gates in terms of security and convenience. Boom or roller doors play an important role in both residential and commercial properties today. By installing parking bollards, you can locate each parking space precisely and with greater security than boom gates. In addition, only authorized drivers (via key, remote, or smartphone) can access individual parking poles. To provide an extra layer of protection, parking bollards can be combined with boom gates.

3) Parking bollards are easy to install

Boom doors need to be hardwired to a power source, and civil and electrical work is required to install them. They also need access to Ethernet to connect to the Internet and the cloud. This is quite invasive and extensive for building as it requires core drilling, wiring, and some minor construction work. This can be inconvenient in a residential or commercial office building as it is noisy and causes vibrations. Therefore, in office buildings, work is often carried out at night.

In comparison, the installation of parking bollards is much simpler. Parking bollards simply install on the surface, so you don’t need to introduce them to concrete or asphalt floors. The parking bollards are anchored to the ground and comply with BCA standards. They only require 3 or 4 fixing points and the fixing depth is only 50 mm. Some bollards can be core drilled in concrete, but this requires a building permit and more sweeping or dialing of the slab before you can dig.

4) Parking Bollards are More Cost-Effective than Bollard Gates

Parking-bollards are often more cost-effective than boom gates. It can be used for both upfront initial installation costs and ongoing maintenance. Parking posts are also located within each parking space. In contrast, boom doors are located at the entrance and exit of a building and take up much more space. Parking-bollards require less ongoing maintenance. Additionally, safety bollards provide protection between walkways and hazard areas, which is especially useful in warehouse and industrial settings.

Parking posts play a vital role in keeping communities safe. You can keep roads clean and drivers safe by choosing the right type of parking bollard. Parking-bollards are a great way to secure your parking space and keep your car safe. At aotons.com we offer a range of smart and cost-effective bollards to make life easier for you and your clients. Our parking bollards and gate operators ensure that your car is safely parked.

4. Parking Post Installation

4.1 Why Install Parking Piles?

Bollards act as a physical barrier between pedestrians, buildings, and vehicles in parking lots. Bollards are a useful way of allocating parking spaces and directing traffic. Before installing any parking bollards in your parking lot, there are a few things you should consider.

4.2 What Type of Parking Piles I Should Install?

You should first determine what type of parking bollard you want to install. There are many different types, including fixed, retractable (or fold-down), and removable bollards. It depends on what you are using the bollard for and what desired outcome you are trying to achieve.

These types of parking posts include manual folding parking posts, automatic remote parking posts, and smartphone parking posts. The cost will also play a decisive factor in your decision. Depending on the size and scope of the job, you may wish to speak with a parking professional who can advise you on the best options.

• Retractable or collapsible parking bollards offer the ability to implement flexible traffic flow management as they can be raised and lowered as required. Additionally, collapsible bollards can be used to reserve parking spaces for authorized drivers. When a driver leaves the space, you put up the parking bollard and it secures the space for that person until they return.
• When not in use, the removable bollards are easily removed, making them a practical choice for transient events.
• Fixed bollards are permanently installed primarily to prevent damage to building assets, and to separate pedestrian areas from vehicular areas.

4.3 What Regulations Should be Followed when Installing Parking Piles?

When installing parking bollards, it is important to ensure that you comply with any building codes or standards. This is to meet minimum security requirements. For example, for fire doors, security bollards need to allow access for people leaving in a hurry in an emergency and also allow wheelchair access.

There is also an Australian Standard that deals with parking – AS2890. While it doesn’t directly address parking bollards, you need to consider factors such as visibility, whether they are a tripping hazard, whether they are made of suitably strong materials, and making sure they don’t block emergency exits. Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) regulations take these issues into account.

The Building Code of Australia (BCA) also has certain requirements for embedded services in the slabs of tall buildings. For example. Water pipes, electrical conduits or anything else embedded in the concrete needs to be at least 50mm below the surface. Therefore, it is important to make sure not to drill too deep when installing parking bollards.

You don’t want to run a significant risk that if you drill too deep, you could run into these services and cause all sorts of problems. You don’t want to hit a water pipe that could spray all over the place and cause damage. or gas lines, so you end up with a gas leak in the building. Also, you don’t want to hit any cables, which could both injure you and cut power to the building. All of this is dangerous and expensive for the restoration of the building.

It is also wise, if possible, to request blueprints or architectural drawings which should show where embedded services are installed on the slab. For extra safety, some larger buildings employ consultants to do flatbed scans. This involves scanning concrete floors to identify the location of any embedded services. Another service in Australia is called Dial-before-you-dig. While helpful, it’s not always completely accurate because the service relies on contractors submitting where they provide their services.

4.4 Does the Installation of Parking Poles Require Permission?

Yes. In strata buildings, you must always get approval from the building — whether it’s the owners association or the strata manager — before installing the parking posts. Some buildings may have a pre-approval process, but you should always check before diving into the public property slab. If you need help seeking approval for a property or owner’s corporation, please let us know and we can send you an approval request form.

Some buildings impose additional standards on parking bollards. For example, they might want them installed by the same contractor, both within the same distance of a parking lot, or both to be the same model. Therefore, you will want to check with your building or strata to see if there are any additional requirements before installing a parking post.

4.5 Is It Difficult to Install the Parking Pile?

Installing a parking post can be very simple or a little more complicated. It depends on the type of parking bollard you are installing, and the surface you are installing it on. The easiest level is to install surface-mounted parking posts on a concrete slab. But there’s a lot more you need to consider when you’re installing inground bollards. Always make sure you hire an expert who has installed parking bollards like we at aotons.com. Otherwise, if you’re confident enough with your tools to follow our detailed instructions for DIY installation, it’s also a good choice.

4.6 Who Can Install Parking Bollards?

At aotons.com we provide installation services for parking bollards across Australia. With 14 years of experience in the industry, we know it all. You can also install surface-mounted parking bollards yourself, if you have the right tools, you can follow our easy installation instructions. This works on concrete or asphalt surfaces. Or, if you have a local handyman they can easily install it for you by following our instructions.

If you want to install underground parking bollards, we strongly recommend that you hire a professional to do it, as it is much more complicated. You can also ask us for a quote for your underground installation.

4.7 How to Install the Parking Bollard?

1) Ready to Install Parking Posts

You are now happy to install your brand new aotons.com parking bollard that will solve all your parking problems. But before you start drilling, you should take the following preparatory steps.

2) What tools are needed to install parking piles?

A hammer drill, masonry drill bits, concrete anchors or anchors, and quick-drying chemical epoxy are all the tools needed for installation. If you don’t already have these, you can rent them from a hardware store or hire a specialist to install parking bollards for you.

3) What fixtures do I use to install the parking-bollards?

The fixtures needed to install a parking bollard depend on whether it is being installed on a concrete or asphalt surface. At aotons.com we supply the proper concrete fixings for all parking bollards – 10mm hex top Phillips screws. To install into asphalt, you can use head screws or an endless thread cut into the appropriate length. For more details on this, see below How do I install parking bollards in asphalt?

4) Ground Mounted Parking Bollards vs. Underground Parking Bollards

The parking piles can be installed on the ground or drilled underground. Parking spaces in multi-story buildings and car parks prefer surface-mounted bollards because they interfere less with concrete slabs. In most covered parking basements, this is more than enough. The surface installation method is very simple and easy.

At aotons.com, all of our parking bollards are surface mounted. There are several reasons for this. First, it makes it easy for you or your handyman to install it yourself. Secondly, this is very important in multi-story buildings to ensure that the installation complies with BCA regulations. Stratified buildings and commercial buildings always ask questions as they want to have as little penetration as possible into the concrete slab.

The underground installation is more complicated and requires professionals to operate. It usually requires core drilling and you need to go deep into the slab, so you need to be careful with embedded services.

5) How far apart should the parking posts be?

Planning out where your bollards will be positioned relative to parking spaces or other bollards is critical for two reasons. First of all, professionalism and aesthetics are the most important. Drivers approach bollards neatly placed in parking spaces to be visually appealing.

Second, depending on how you use your bollards, you may have some compliance issues to consider. For example, bollards lined up to separate people from vehicles must have sufficient spacing to allow wheelchair users to pass through them. You must measure and specify the optimal location of your bollards relative to the parking space to ensure proper bollard spacing.

6) Check for any embedded services

As mentioned above, it’s important to make sure you don’t drill holes in the slab and hit any water, gas, or electrical lines. So either make sure you only drill 50mm deep into the slab. For extra precaution, you may also wish to perform a flatbed scan and/or a Dial.

7) Clean and flatten the surface

The surface on which the bollard will be installed is the next thing you should consider. Clean, flat, and in good condition. Installing into a block of old concrete or asphalt with holes is not ideal because there is less surface for the fixings to grab onto.

8) Check your site location

Decide where you want to install the dollies in your parking space. We recommend installing parking bollards one-third of the way into the parking space, assuming it is a traditional parking space with simple entry and exit.

This is usually about 1000-1200mm from the open end of the parking space. At most, we’ll put the parking lock in the middle of the parking space. Sometimes people want to install them in slightly different positions, but if you are not sure, please call us and we will give you advice on the best position to place the parking-bollards according to your needs.

It also matters whether your parking-bollards are installed indoors or outdoors. If installing parking posts outdoors, you should choose weather-resistant parking posts. Both concrete and steel are reliable materials for outdoor bollards. If you’re building bollards indoors, you’ll be more flexible in your material choices. Bollards made of both plastic and metal are popular materials for indoor installations.

9) Installing Parking Posts to Concrete Surfaces

The process is simple if you’re installing surface-mounted parking bollards on a concrete surface. If you have a concrete drill and are confident with it, you can do the installation yourself.

For installing manual, automatic remote, and smartphone parking bollards, we recommend the following procedure. All of our bollards at aotons.com are surface mounted, making them suitable for a wider range of buildings as they are less invasive to concrete or asphalt surfaces. We supply concrete anchors for all parking barriers including manual, remote, and smartphone parking locks.

Each of our parking posts has pre-drilled holes in the base plate. Each bollard has 3, 4, or 6 holes depending on the type you choose. Mark the predrilled holes with chalk or a marker before installing the bollard. Next, use a rotary hammer drill with an appropriately sized bit to drill the required number of holes to a depth of only 50mm.

Then mount the baseplate of the parking post over the drilled holes, insert Phillips screws into the tops of the baseplate holes, and drill them into the concrete. Tighten the end of the fixture if necessary. For manual parking posts, you are now done. For automatic or remote-controlled parking posts, you simply place the cover over the base plate and lock the housing. Ensure the hooks that lock it are installed correctly and you’re ready!

10) Can the parking bollard be moved after installation?

Yes, you can move the parking post to a different location. All you need to do is use a masonry drill with the appropriate hex bit, turn it upside down, and unscrew the screws from the base plate. It leaves small holes, but you can easily restore them to their original state. Just get a little epoxy filler from your local hardware and put it in the hole and let it set.

Install your parking post at the new location in the same manner as you did the first time! It’s easy! Installing a parking post is a relatively simple and easy process. Whether you are confident enough to do it yourself or would like aotons.com to provide you with a professional installation quote, especially for high-volume orders, please contact us and ask for a quote.